Now It’s Free in
to see the Riches of Clare

Clare
Champion, Friday, June 18, 2004

By Austin Hobbs

The Clare Museum should
be the first port of call for anyone who wishes to get a bird’s eye
view of 6,000 years of Clare history. That’s
the verdict of Clare County Council’s community and cultural policy
committee on whose recommendation it has been decided to provide free admission
to the museum on a trial basis.

In outlining the proposal,
council director of services Bernadette Kinsella said, “The abolition
of the charges together with the development of the Clare Heritage Circle
– a new countywide partnership dedicated to promoting and sharing the
unique heritage of Clare – will ensure a far greater number of visitors/school
tours for Ennis and the county".

“Research considered
by the committee shows that the other local authority museums e.g. Donegal,
Cork, Limerick, Monaghan and Clonmel do not charge for visits. The new branch
of the National Museum in Mayo is also free to visitors. The
committee considers that charging for entry to Clare Museum is counterproductive
and a barrier to the greater exploitation of resources and the encouragement
of visits”, Ms Kinsella said.Press
Cuttings